Larcher De Brito Returns after six month hiatus

[scoop]

Former teen sensation Michelle Larcher De Brito returned to action this week in the $100,000 Midland Michigan ITF event but she lost in the first round of qualifying rounds to Usue Maitane Arconada 57 64 46.

The 25 year old Larcher De Brito, born in Portugal but based in Bradenton, FL, last played in July of last year, losing 36 46 to Ellen Perez in Gatineau, Quebec.

Before Gatineau, Larcher De Brito lost first round in Winnipeg in straight sets and the second round of Wimbledon qualies to Elizaveta Kulichkova 36 64 16.

Larcher De Brito, who once won a set from Serena Williams as a sixteen year old, has struggled for years ranked outside the top 100. Currently she is stuck at 355 after a 2009 career high of 76. She has career wins over the likes of Ivanovic, Sharapova and Kuznetsova but has not been a WTA Tour factor for years.

Whether her six month hiatus was because of injury or burnout, it was not made clear via her social media.

Like other veterans in the Midland draw – Elena Bovina, Jovana Jaksic, Madison Brengle, Julia Boserup, Evgeniya Rodina, Richel Hogenkamp, Jennifer Brady, Maria Sanchez – Larcher De Brito is still determined to achieve the success in the professional ranks that has so far eluded her.

And as Victor Estrella, Tennys Sandgren and Mirjana Lucic have shown by their exceptional examples, it’s hardly ever too late to give up.

 

[10isfan]

It probably took her six months to regain her voice. She is the loudest screamer on tour.

 

[shawnbm]

I like her in spite of her screeching--I have seen her play some pretty stellar tennis.